Principals hired at Valley School

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By Joseph Pratt

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The Valley Local School District Board of Education met last week for its regularly scheduled board meeting. Many personnel issues were in negotiation during the meeting, including the acceptance of the resignation of Superintendent Carl McCrory, approval of three principal contracts, and many staff added to payroll.

The three principals hired were Jeremy Clark for the elementary school building, Aaron Franke for the middle school building, and Jane Thayer for the high school building. Clark and Franke were previously employed in their positions, but were extended two additional years on their contracts. Clark was given a salary of $65,000 and Franke was given $69,000. Thayer was only just offered her first contract as principal for two years at $69,000.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Thayer said. “Valley is in a great community and I am just glad to be a part of the district. I have two sons in the district and I know the good things that go on here. I am just thrilled to be a part of it.”

According to McCrory, the position of high school principal was absorbed, temporarily, by the superintendent in recent years, when a principal left midyear after disagreements with the expectations of the board and superintendent.

Thayer was hired last year as an assistant principal and spent the year learning the ropes of Valley Local Schools. After a year of adjusting to the school, Thayer was able to apply for the newly opened principal position, which she was awarded.

“I’d like to think that serving as assistant principal will help me in my new position,” Thayer said.

Thayer said she has spent 13 years in education, many of which were at Scioto County Career and Technical Center, and she is excited to assist in the administration staff.

“I enjoy being in the classroom, but I want to have a larger impact,” Thayer said. “I’d like to hope most people go into education to have a positive impact on the lives of young people. I just wanted the opportunity to do that on a larger scale.”

McCrory’s resignation came in just before the deadline to do so, and he will be leaving July 24. The board is currently looking to approve active negotiations with the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center to locate an adequate interim superintendent.

“To me, it is an honor,” Thayer said, concerning her new role in the school and community. “We have great families and great kids. We also have tremendous community support for such a wonderful tradition; it is humbling, if you want to know the truth.”

Reach Joseph Pratt at 740-353-3101, ext. 1932, or by Twitter @JosephPratt03.

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